Leaf-spring lubricator



'W. GRUS,J11.

LEAF SPRING LUBRICATOR. APPLICATION 111511 111115 12. 1916.

1,405,582, Patented 119117, 1922.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. y'

LEAF-SPRING LUBRICATOR Specification of Letters Fatent.

Patented Eeb. 7, 1922.

Application led June 12, 1916. Serial No. 103,103.

To @ZZ whom t may concern: l

Be it known that I, WILLIAM GBUS, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and use' ful Improvements in Leaf-Spring Lubricators, of which the following is a specifica tion.

This invention relates to a device consisting of two similar parts which are applied at the edges of a spring consisting of a plurality of leaves fastened together, such as are commonly used on automobiles and other vehicles.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a light, simple and strong device of this kind which can be economically and quickly made, preferably stamped out of thin metal, and which lis applied to or removed from the spring which it is to lubrie'ate. Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter. l

In the accompanying *drawingy Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apportion of a leaf spring to which a device constructed in accordance with the principle of this invention is applied;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the spring and one of the lubricators taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, showing the other one in side lelevation; i

material therein; and,

Fig. 4 is a view of the bottom of a-lubricator with the lubricating pad` removed.

In providing lubricators for leaf springs,

Vit is desirable that they shall be as light as possible, and at the same time, sufficiently strong to withstand the strains placed upon them. If the casings which comprise the lubricators are of cast metal, they are usually so large that they are cumbersome, and are not only hard to apply, but take up so much room, that in some instances it is almost impossible to apply them at. the proper places to the springs, for the reason that there is not sufficient room. The present invention contemplates the removal of all of these objections by making the casing of thin metal, so that it can be punched or stamped by a single operation of a punch press, the casing being so formed that it will have sufficient strength to withstand all strains placed upon it.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of theibottomo'f a lubricator with a pad of fibrous lubricating y I'n'a vehicle spring consisting of a plurality of leaves, as Vdesignated generally by the reference numeral 6, itis customary to taper the leaves toward their ends and' to graduate the successive leaves in length, as indicated by the leaf 7, in Fig. 1. A lubricating device of the .type to which this invention belongs, is usually positioned near the end of the shortest leaf, since this is the point at which the greatest number of leaves can best be served by a single lubricating device at both sides of the'spring.

In the present lubricating device, a stamping 8 is preferably made by a single operation of a punch press out of thin sheet metal,

which forms a casing or housing 9 for containing a pad 10 of fibrous lubricating material, such as felt, or the like, and at the bottom of the casing portion 9, is a substantially rectangular recessed portion 12, with inclined sides 13 connecting ,with the casing portion 9, leaving a narrowperimetric wall 14 entirely around the bottom of the casing portion 9, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4S,

the recessed portion 12'occupying the central portion of the bottom ofthe casing, and thereby forming theI` said perimetric wall 14.

At each end, the stamping is formed with an car'15, in which is a perforation 16, and with ribs 17l connecting the ear with the body of the casing to strengthen the ears. The sides 18, of the casing 9, are rounded upwardly in the center, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, so that'at the center, the side approaches most nearlyl to the edges of the leaves of the spring. These sides 18, even at their widest portion, are vless in height than the uncompressed thickness of the lubricating pad 10, so that when the lubricator is applied to a leaf spring and clamped thereon, the pad will be compressed to a certain extent, thereby tightly confining the edges of the'pad between the wall 14 at-the bottom of the chamber. 9, and the edges of the spring leaves, thereby confinincr the lubricating material applied to the Vpa to the' inner or central portion of the sides 18 prevent to a certain extent the lateral movement of the lubricator with respect to the spring. 'Y

As previously noted, a lubricato'r of this class, must be applied to a spring which tapers slightly toward the end, and for that reason, one side of the casing is made `slightly wider than the other side, so that it will fit the leaf spring as accurately as possible. In this connection, it should be noted that the fastening ears 15 are at la greater distance from the bottom of the casing than the rounded edges of the sides 18, forming the shoulders 19 at the ends of the casing, which are designed to fit closely over the top andbottom of the leaf spring, so that the lubricator will be held in place by the en gagement of these shoulders. A single stamping is all that is required for both sides of the spring, asthe stam'pingsA are just alike, and may be reversed .for application vto either side of the spring, the only change being required, is that an oil cup 20 is applied to one end of the. inclined sides 13, of the recess 12, for thel lubricators at one side of the spring, and at the other end of the recess 12, for the lubricator at the other-side of the spring, in order to complete a pair of lubricators for both sides of the spring.

The recessed portion 12 therefore constitutes a reservoir or chamberV for the lubricant which is readily introduced through the oil cu 20, and in order to keep the pad 10 from glling the recessed ortion 12, a plate 21 is loosely placed at the top of the recess 12,V bearing against the inclined 4sides 13, preferably at a slight distance below the bottom of the chamber 9, which is called the perimetric wall 14. In order to allow a free lassage lof the lubricant from the chamberv ormed by the recess 12, to the pad 10, the Vplate may be provided with perforations 22, and cuts 23 may be 'made at the edges or corners of the plate.V It should also be noted that the plate 21 prevents the pad 10'from being squeezed intol the lubricantreservoir 12 when the .leaf lspring lubricator is adjusted for use; furthermore, the perforated plate 21 assists in keepingV the central portion of the pad in contact with the edges of the leaf spring thus securing a uniform apphcation lof the lubricant to the desired area of the leaf spring from the lubricant reservoir through the perforated plate 21 and throughthe central portion of the pad While the perimetric portion of the latter remalns under greater compression, as shown by the blackened portions of the upper andlower ends of the pad in Fig. 2.

In order to apply this lubricator to a leaf spring, two'co-o erating stampings are positioned at the e ges of the spring, and bolts 2,11 are inserted through the perforationsY above andbelowr the spring, withnuts 25 and lock-washers 26 for tightening the lubricators against the edges of the spring leaves. This compresses the pads about the edges, as before explained, and allows a 'comparatively free application of the lubricant through the central portion of each pad tothe edges of the leaves, from which the lubricant is introduced between the leaves by capillary attraction and by the sliding movements of the separate leaves' with respect to each other. This construction is, therefore, simple, light and strong, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and is so compact that it can be applied to leaves in which there is not sufficient space for other types of lubricators.

The fibrous pad 20 made of felt, or some similar substance, usually permits sufficient lubricant to pass through it to lubricate the spring, but it may also be formed with slits, slots or perforations, which make it easier for the lubricant to pass from the recess 12 to the edges of the leaves of the spring.

' l. In a leaf spring lubricator, a. casing having end portions to extend over the-top and bottom of a spring and sides which are widest intermediate the ends to limit the engagement with the spring.

2. In a leaf spring lubricator, a casing having shoulder ends adapted to fit over the top and bottom of a spring at one side thereof, the sides of the casing being rounded away from the spring at tIieir central portions toward the ends of the said sides.

3. In a leafspring lubricator, a casing adapted to be applied at the edges of the leaves of a spring having sides which are widest at their central portion narrowing away toward thev ends of the sides;

4. In' a leaf spring lubricator, a sheet metal casing havingends which t over the top and bottom of a spring with sides nor mally out of contact with the edge of the spring and varying in width to limit' the contact of the casing with the spring.

5.In 4a leaf spring lubricator, a casing having ends to fit over the top and bottom of a spring and having sides varying in width to limit the contact of the casing with the spring, the casing being longer at one side than at the other to fit closely against the side of a leaf spring.

6. In a leaf spring lubricator, a stamped metal casing adapted to fit overthe side of a leaf spring with sides varying in thickness to limit the contact of the casing with a spring at the sides of the casing.

7. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pressed metal casing with shoulder portions at the ends to it over the top and bottom of a spring at one sidethereof, and a depression` iin the casing forming a narrow bottom or wall around the edges of the casing.

8. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pressed metal casing made of a single piece of sheet material lhaving Shoulder portions at the ends to lit over the top and bottom ofv a leaf spring at one side thereof, and having ridges formed up out of the metal at the shoulder portions thereofto strengthen the said shoulder.

9. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pressed metal casing made of a single piece of sheet material having perforated ears Yat the'ends formed by bending the metal to 'form a shoulder portion at each end which fit over the top and bottom of a leaf spring at one side thereof, and ridges formed up out of and of the same thickness as the metal at the bend of the ears to reinforce them with respectv to the casing proper.

l0.V In a springleaf lubricator, a shallowv casing formed up Vout of sheet metal and adapted to t over one side ofa leaf spring with a recess in the bottom of the receptacle to constitute a separate lubricant-holding chamber communicating directly With the casing.

1l. The combination with a leaf spring graduated in thickness, of a lubricator comprising a casing wider at one side of the spring and corresponding to the graduation thereof, the sides varying in width to limit the contact with the edge of the spring.

12. The combination with a leaf spring, of a lubricator therefor comprising a pair of counterpart casings each formed of sheet metal and provided 'with shoulders which fit over the top and bottom of the spring at one side thereof and with upstanding sides which engage the side of the 'spring and space the bottom of the casing therefrom, and means for fastening Vthe casings together above and belowthe spring.

13. The combination with a leaf spring, of a lubricator therefor comprising a pair of pressed metal casings each formed with perforated ears bent at right angles to the casing and forming'end shoulders which fit over the top and bottom of the spring at one side thereof, the said ears having ridges formed up out of the metal to strengthen them, and rigid fastening means to engage in the perforations of the ears above and below the spring and adjustable to hold the casings in place.

14. A leaf spring lubricator comprising a sheet metal stampingl having spaced-apart shoulders adapted to fit over the leaf spring above and below the same, a recess to form an oil reservoir in the bottom of the stamping intermediate said shoulders with a wall surrounding said recess, a pad of absorbent material between said shoulders to cover and surround said reservoir, and a partition separate from said stamping but adapted to be disposed over said recess to prevent the pad from being squeezedl 'into said recess.

15. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pad of absorbent material, a casing fitting over the absorbent material having `a recess in its bottom forming a perimetric Wall, and a clampvholding the casing rigidly against the edges of the leaves of a spring vto compress the pad at its edges more than in the center. v K

16. A leaf springv lubricator comprising a stamping from a single piece of sheet metal having spaced-apart rectilinear shoulders adapted to fit over the upper and lower edges of a leaf spring, said stamping also having extensions, from said shoulders to receive clamping means to hold the lubricator on the spring, an oil pocket at the central portion of the'stamping, a partition separate from said stamping but adapted to be disposed over the area of said recess, and a pad of absorbent material adapted to fit in said casing ybetween said shoulders and rest againstv a perimetric wall surrounding said recess.

17. Ina leaf spring lubricator, a pad of absorbent material, and a casing to hold the pad againstv a portion of the edges of the leaves' of a spring, the said casing comprising shoulders at the ends Which fit over the topy and bottom of a spring and sides less in height than the thickness of the pad so that the pad may be compressed against the edges of the leaves.

18. InA a leaf spring lubricator, a pad, a casing to hold the pad against a portion of the edges of the leaves of avspring, the said casing having a recess intermediate the ends, and a partition disposed over the recessV for preventing the pad from filling it.

19. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pad of absorbentv material, a casing fitting over the pad having a recess inits bottom with sides inclined from the bottom of the casing proper, and a partition disposed inthe recess and supported by theinclined sides of the said recess. p

20. lIn a' leaf spring lubricator, the combination with'a pad of absorbent material,

of av casing fitting over the padhaving a recess in the bottom of the casing With sides inclined from the bottom of the casing to the bottom of the recess, and a partition which rests against the inclined sides of the recess, but does not close the recess tightly, thereby allowing the passage of fiuidfrom the recess tothe said pad. v

21. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pressed metal casing having a recess intermediate the ends forming an oil receptacle, and a removable partition disposed over the recess separating it directly from the chamber formed by the casing. I v

22. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pressed metal casing Wider at one side than at the other and adapted `to fit over the top and bottom of one side of a spring, and a square depression at the bottom of the casing izo spaced froln the sides and ends and forming a lubricant compartment.

23. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pressed metal casing wider at one side than at the other and adapted to t over the top and bottom of one side of a spring, but with parallel sides, and a central square recess Vwhich forms an oil receptacle, the sides of .which are .parallel with but spaced from the sides of the casing.

24. The combinationv with a leaf spring, of a pair of counterpart lubricating devices yeach comprising a pad, a shallow casing having sides less in height than the normal thickness of the pad, perforated ears at the ends which form shoulders adapted to en- Lat one side thereof, thesaid casing being vformed With a depression Which formsl a perimetric Wall at the bottom of the casing, an apertured plate at the bottom of the recess preventing the pad from filling the recess and thereby forming a lubricant` containing chamber, lubricant admission means atV the top of said recess, and means for engaging the perforated ears of the lubricant devices at both sides of the spring for drawing the pads. against the sides of the edges of the leaves and compressing them at their edges, but not to such a great extent at their center.

25. In a leaf spring lubricator, a casing applicable to .one side of a leaf spring having both sides rounded up in the center to engage and make a limited contact with the edge of the spring. Y,

26. In a leaf spring lubricator, a casing applicable to one side of a leaf spring hav- Ving aY depression in the central portion of its bottom Wall, and a loose partition supported by the lateral Walls. of said depression and one of the sides of said partition being substantially in the plane of one side of said bottom Wall.

27. In a leaf spring lubricator, a casing applicable to one side of a leaf spring formed with endsV to fit over the top and bottom ofthe spring and with sides the edges of which are adapted to make a lim* ited engagement With the same side of the sprin 28. n a leaf spring lubricator', the combination of a pair ofl counterpart casings each applicable to one side of a leaf spring and formed with ends to fit over the top and bottom of the spring and With sides varying in Width to limit the contact of each casing with Vthe side of the spring, and means to connect the casings above and below the spring to hold the casings against the sides of the spring.

29.` In a leaf spring lubricator, a sheet metal casing having angular end portions to fit over the top and bottom ed es of a leaf spring at one side thereof and with vstrengtheningribsstamped into the metal and inclined toward each other at each end of the casing, and adjustable but rigid attaching means to engage said end portions.

30. In a leaf spring lubricator, a sheet metal casing having perforated ears at the ends formed by bending the metal to fit over the top and bottom of a leaf spring at one side thereof with a plurality of ribsformed up out of the metal at the bend of the ears and inclined toward the perforation of ear-li ear.

3l. In a spring lubricator, a casing formed of sheet metal having angular bent eX- tremities to lit over the upper and lower edge of a spring and with ribs graduated in width toward the end extending from the bend of each end for strengthening the said angular portion in proportion to the strain thereon, and adjustable attaching means to engage said bent extremities.

32. In a leaf spring lubricatona casing having a recess spaced from lthe sides and ends forming an oil receptacle, and a removable partition atthe top of the recess separating the recess from the other part of the casing.

33. In a leaf spring lubricator, a casing of pressed metal having a recess spaced from its lateral sides in its bottom Wall With a adapted to fit over the top and bottom of a spring having a recess in the bottom of the casing, a pad of absorbent material to fit in the casing, and a loose partition to Y cover the recess and admit lubricant from the recess to the pad.

'36. In a leaf spring lubricator, a pad of absorbent material, a casing to confine the pad against a portion of theedges of the leaves of a. spring, the casing having in the bottom a lubricant holding recess, and a loose partition to separate the pad from the recess but to admit lubricant from the recess to the pad. Y

37. A leaf spring lubricator comprising a pair of plates adapted to be positioned at opposite edges of a vehicle leaf spring and provided with lubricant reservoirs opening With the inner faces thereof, V"perforated partitions across the inner sides of the reservoirs, absorbent pads resting against the inner faces of the partitions and adapted to engage the edgesof the vehicle spring,-and means for connecting the upper and lower edges of said platesabove and below. the

i vehicle spring when the lubricator is adjusted for use. n Y

38. A leaf spring lubricator comprising opfy posed' plates having outwardly bulgedsubvstantially.rectangular central portions provided with lubricant chambers, 'perforated partitions adapted to be seated in said. plates `to extend over the inner openjsides of said chambers, absorbent pads seated against the inner faces of said partitions, andrneans for connectingv thejupper and lower. edges of said plates above and-below 'the leaf spring when the lubricator is'adjusted for use.

39. In la spring-oiler, a cup'tele'ment con-y posed plates atopposite edges of the leaf yspring having inwardly projecting flanges overhanging the adjacent edges of thelower and upper leaves of said leaf spring when A adjusted for use, vsaid plates being provided .clamp the device tothe spring.

with vlubricant reservoirs,absorbent pads across said reservoirs and between the latter fand theedges of the leaf spring, means connecting the upper and loweredges respec tact with the edges ofthe leaf spring, and

soy

v-tively ofthe plates and drawing said plates toward each other to hold lthe pads in con- .A

perforated partitions within ksaid ,plates j across the open sides of said reservoirs. f

oil pockets and fiat-'bearing faces at opbetween said bearing facesrand adjacent edges of the spring leaves; and extending across the vopen sides of the pockets, 'a

- V 41.Invcombination with a leaf spring, 1 lubricating device therefor comprisingA a -pair of metal plates extending across vopposite edges of the leaves and provided with Vposite Vsides of the pockets, lubricating pads f loose partitionin each pocket supported by 3 the walls of the latter and adaptedto'hold thezpa'd out of said pocket and means for drawing the plates toward each other` to In testimony whereof I have signed myV name to this specification,y on ,this 8th day of June, A. D. 1916.

j WILLIAM GRUS, JR. 

